Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Peru: Indigenous Peoples

Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Peru further to reports of attacks against indigenous communities and human rights defenders (1) in Ucayali, and (2) elsewhere; and if they have not made such representations, what plans they have to do so.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: Senior officials from the British Embassy in Lima have met representatives of some of the affected communities, and facilitated dialogues between these groups and representatives from the Peruvian Government (Minister of Justice and Human Rights), in collaboration with charities and NGOs. The UK Ambassador in Lima has raised concerns about attacks against human rights' defenders with the Minister of Justice, and on social media.

Peru: Indigenous Peoples

Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the threat to the security of indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon, particularly the (1) Flor de Ucayali, and (2) Shipibo-Conibo communities.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The British Embassy in Lima closely monitors the situation of human rights' defenders (HRDs) in Peru, and is concerned at reports of attacks on indigenous communities in Ucayali and elsewhere. Following reports of threats to the Flor de Ucayali community in November 2021, Embassy officials met representatives of the Ministries of Justice and Interior to relay our concerns to the Peruvian authorities, and gather information about the actions being taken. This complemented an in-person meeting in September 2021 between the UK Deputy Head of Mission and representatives from the Flor de Ucayali community, who shared first-hand experiences about challenges related to land tenure, legal support, access to basic public services, and threats from criminal groups.We understand that the new Peruvian Government is committed to the improvement of protocols, and related protection mechanisms for communities facing such threats.

Peru: Indigenous Peoples

Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the challenges faced by (1) indigenous people in the Peruvian Amazon who are campaigning for their human rights, and (2) non-indigenous people supporting them.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK Government is aware of the challenges faced by indigenous people in the Peruvian Amazon, and their supporters. We regret that nine indigenous leaders have been killed between 2020-2021. We monitor the threats that indigenous people face from groups linked to serious and organised crime, and the Peruvian Government's actions in protecting them. The Peruvian Government has taken steps to introduce a multisector mechanism for the protection of human rights' defenders, but a volatile political situation is slowing progress.Through the British Embassy in Lima, we deliver a range of projects aimed at upholding indigenous people's rights, collaborating with Peruvian authorities, the private sector, and civil society organisations. We have actively supported the development of Peru's first action plan on business and human rights, including the voices of traditionally marginalised sectors, such as indigenous communities, human rights' defenders, and women. We are supporting the economic empowerment of indigenous communities in Ucayali and Madre de Dios through projects funded by UK International Climate Finance. HMG's Combating Illicit Economies Programme (CIEP) is implementing a regional project across Brazil, Colombia, and Peru to reduce environmental crimes in the Amazon, aiming to improve the quality of data on environmental crimes to facilitate evidence-based decision-making, as well as mapping victimisation and risks directed at defenders of indigenous rights and the environment.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Lord Boateng: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the COVAX scheme; and whether they plan to propose any reforms to the scheme.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK is committed to ending the acute phase of the pandemic as soon as possible, and strongly supports the COVAX Facility as a mechanism to enable this. We are among the largest donors to COVAX's Advance Market Commitment, committing £548 million that will help supply at least 1.8 billion COVID-19 vaccines to up to 92 low- and middle-income countries by early 2022. The UK will also donate 100 million COVID-19 vaccines to countries in need, 80% of which will go through COVAX.COVAX has an ongoing monitoring and evaluation workstream, and shares results data regularly with stakeholders. FCDO officials are planning to undertake an annual review of the UK's COVAX funding at the start of 2022, and the key findings and recommendations of the review will be available on FCDO's DevTracker.

Armenia: Azerbaijan

The Lord Bishop of St Albans: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Goldsmith of Richmond Park on 25 November (HL4243), what support they are providing to help document and investigate allegations of serious mistreatment of Armenian prisoners of war by the government of Azerbaijan.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The Minister for Europe and Americas raised this important issue with both Governments directly, including during her visits to Armenia and Azerbaijan earlier this year and during subsequent engagements with her counterparts. The UK has continued to encourage both Governments to thoroughly investigate all allegations that prisoners of war and detainees were mistreated during and after last year's conflict. We will continue to urge the parties to prioritise securing a peaceful settlement to the conflict through negotiations facilitated by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and to settle all outstanding matters related to the conflict.

Lesotho: Droughts

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the droughts in Lesotho; and what steps will they take to ensure that those living there have enough water to maintain hydroelectric power.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK is concerned by the impacts of the droughts in Lesotho. In 2020, the UK provided £6.5 million to support the immediate needs of vulnerable populations across the Southern Africa region, including £1.9 million to Lesotho through multilateral partners, when drought conditions first occurred. Lesotho currently imports most of its electricity, but the Government of Lesotho is expanding its potential domestic hydropower capacity under Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. The UK is supporting the development of clean power options in Lesotho with assistance from the Renewable Energy Performance Platform and funding a regional transboundary water management programme in southern Africa. This programme supports countries in southern Africa, including Lesotho, to manage their shared water resources and better cope with the impacts of climate change (especially floods and drought).

Ethiopia: Crimes against Humanity

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports of massacres and incitements to ethnic cleansing in Ethiopia; what plans they have, if any, to review the UK citizenship of Andargachew Tsege regarding reports of his involvement in such activities.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We are extremely concerned by reports of widespread human rights violations and abuses in Ethiopia committed by all sides in the conflict, including but not limited to mass killings in the north and incidents of ethnic targeting in Addis Ababa and elsewhere. The Foreign Secretary, our Ambassador in Addis Ababa and the Minister for Africa continue to raise human rights issues in our discussions with the Ethiopian Government and more broadly we have reminded all warring parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The Minister for Africa raised our concerns about ethnic profiling and detentions with Ethiopian State Minister Redwan on 18 November and made clear our concerns on this issue in her tweet of 30 November: "…All sides must avoid hate speech which is fueling ethnic tensions…".We do not comment on individual deprivation of citizenship cases.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Armed Conflict

Lord Risby: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for an outbreak of civil violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK takes talk of secession, and other threats to undo the progress of the last twenty-six years in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) very seriously. We have called on those responsible to cease this destabilising and divisive rhetoric. As a UN Security Council and Peace Implementation Council Steering Board member, the UK is committed to upholding the Dayton Agreement in BiH. The UK, along with our allies, is offering visible and practical support to BiH's territorial integrity, and to maintain the EU military mission (EUFOR) and the Office of the High Representative in BiH. We will continue to help the people of BiH in building a better future in a stable and prosperous State with strong, functioning institutions. Ultimately, the authorities in BiH themselves must make necessary reforms for the good of all citizens, and we call on them to meet their obligations to those who elected them.

Northern Ireland Office

Prerogative of Mercy: Northern Ireland

Baroness Hoey: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Randerson on 10 July 2014 (HL394), what was the outcome of the Northern Ireland Office’s investigation on the use of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy between 1987 and 1997.

Lord Caine: The use of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy during the period 1987-1997 was relatively common and instances of this were not recorded in a single central list. As Baroness Randerson said in her Written Answer, officials from the Northern Ireland Office contacted colleagues in the Department of Justice, The National Archives, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and the Royal Household to ascertain if they held relevant information. While individual case records are likely to have been destroyed in accordance with proper protocols, all available details of issued Northern Ireland related RPMs have been located and collated. The Northern Ireland Office continues to meet its obligation to manage records in line with operational needs, best practice, relevant legislation and regulation, and guidance from The National Archives.

Department of Health and Social Care

Maritime Law: Human Rights

Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the statement by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 22 June (HL Deb, col 132) on human rights at sea, when they will write with further details on their vaccination programme for seafarers.

Lord Kamall: The Department for Transport has advised that Baroness Vere of Norbiton wrote to the noble Lady on 9 July regarding the vaccination programme for seafarers. A copy of this letter is attached. All seafarers are able to access COVID-19 vaccinations, regardless of nationality, providing they meet the eligibility criteria. Officials at the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England and NHS Improvement have worked with the Department for Transport to provide clarity on the eligibility of seafarers in the United Kingdom for COVID-19 vaccination. We are also working with the devolved administrations to ensure that operational challenges in vaccinating these groups are mitigated. The United Kingdom does not restrict access to the COVID-19 vaccine for seafarers who are not resident in the UK. Several local partnerships have been established between port authorities, seafarer welfare services and local National Health Service trusts which have successfully vaccinated several thousand seafarers. This has created protocols such as the provision of permanent or mobile vaccination hubs in or close to major ports.BV to B Stuart seafarers vax (pdf, 113.0KB)

Coronavirus

Lord Framlingham: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the ability to transmit COVID-19 differs between someone who has been vaccinated and someone who has been infected with COVID-19.

Lord Kamall: An assessment on the ability to transmit COVID-19 between those who have been vaccinated and those who have been infected with COVID-19 has not been made. Several studies such as SIREN, Vivaldi and the Office for National Statistics Community Infection Survey have provided evidence that vaccines are effective at preventing infection and therefore transmission.Results from the SIREN study indicate that vaccination was 85% effective in healthcare workers after two doses, compared to an 84% lower risk of subsequent infection in healthcare workers with natural immunity. The COVID-19 Infection Survey concluded that vaccine-acquired protection remains at least as good as natural immunity. In both people with and without prior natural infection, vaccination provides the highest level of protection.

Coronavirus

Lord Framlingham: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the difference in protection against COVID-19 provided by (1) vaccination, and (2) antibodies, following a COVID-19 infection.

Lord Kamall: Multiple studies on the immune protection provided by both COVID-19 vaccination and natural immunity following infection are underway. This includes the SARS-CoV-2 Immunity and Reinfection EvaluatioN (SIREN), the Office of National Statistics COVID-19 Infection Survey, Vivaldi, and the REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission studies. Findings from these studies show that both infection-acquired and vaccine-acquired immunity give high levels of protection from new symptomatic and asymptomatic infections for several months.Results from the SIREN study indicate that vaccination was 85% effective in healthcare workers after two doses, compared to an 84% lower risk of subsequent infection in healthcare workers with natural immunity. The COVID-19 Infection Survey concluded that although vaccines are less effective against the Delta variant compared to Alpha, vaccine-acquired protection remains at least as good as natural immunity. In both people with and without prior natural infection, vaccination provides the highest level of protection.

Coronavirus: Ventilation

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth: To ask Her Majesty's Government whatsteps they are taking to promote ventilation in buildings to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

Lord Kamall: The Government has published Ventilation of indoor spaces on how to improve the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in an online only format. This guidance stresses the importance of practical steps such as opening windows and doors; making sure small vents or grilles are open and not blocked; and ensuring that any mechanical ventilation system is working and maintained in line with manufacturers’ instructions. Ventilation systems should bring fresh air in and not recirculate indoor air. In workplaces and non-domestic settings, ventilation should be considered alongside other control measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19.Ventilation of indoor spaces to stop the spread of (pdf, 101.6KB)

Food: Sales Promotions

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to introduce new regulations to limit the use ofpromotional techniques on unhealthyfood and drink product packaging.

Lord Kamall: In December 2020, we confirmed that we will legislate to restrict promotions by location and volume price of foods high in fat, salt and sugar in stores and online to improve people's diets and reduce children's sugar and calorie intakes. Restrictions will apply to medium and large businesses with 50 or more employees in England and include restrictions on volume price promotions on the packaging of food and drink. The regulations are set to come into force in October 2022.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

The Lord Bishop of Durham: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether 14 residents in a dormitory meets the UKHSA recommendations for a COVID-19 compliant environment; and if so, what guidance informed this recommendation.

Lord Kamall: The UK Health Security Agency does not specify numbers for a COVID-19 compliant environment, but advises on all locations being appropriately risk-assessed with identified risk mitigations put in place to address those risks. Risk mitigations may include: not using a location; fewer people in any given space; use of physical barriers; increased ventilation; testing, tracing and isolation protocols with different approaches for vaccinated/non-vaccinated people if relevant; and face coverings in confined or enclosed spaces.

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Baroness Merron: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent estimate they have made of the cost of alcohol on (1) the NHS, and on (2) society in general.

Lord Kamall: Alcohol-related harm was estimated to cost the National Health Service £3.5 billion per year in 2009/10.The cost of alcohol to society in England was estimated to be £21 billion per year in 2012. This includes the costs associated with alcohol-related health disorders and disease, crime and anti-social behaviour, and loss of productivity in the workplace.

Immunotherapy

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government why patients dependent on immunoglobulin are experiencing (1) treatment "holidays", (2) longer waits between treatments, and (3) smaller doses; and what steps they are taking to secure (a) a stable, and (b) a secure, supply of immunoglobulin.

Lord Kamall: Clinicians are responsible for the management of patients, including dosage and dosing intervals, with the oversight and governance of sub-regional immunoglobulin assessment panels. The decision to recommend treatment holidays, extended intervals between treatment and reduction of doses in selected patients is based on consensus recommendations from United Kingdom and European experts and draft European Summary of Product Characteristics for immunoglobulin. The immunoglobulin management plan, currently being produced, will enable the management of immunoglobulin in times of significant supply issues and ensure equal access of immunoglobulin to all patients. The Department has well established processes to deal with medicine shortages and works closely with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the pharmaceutical industry, NHS England and NHS Improvement and others operating in the supply chain to prevent shortages and ensure that risks to patients are minimised when shortages do arise.

Magnetic Resonance Imagers

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how the number of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging scanners per capita in England compares to (1) France, (2) Germany, and (3) Spain.

Lord Kamall: This specific assessment has not been made. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development records the number of magnetAic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners per million inhabitants in the United Kingdom. However, this data is UK-wide rather than for England. This data does not differentiate between machine type, therefore data for multi-parametric MRI scanners is not held in the format requested and does not allow this comparison to be made.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Farms: Tenancy Agreements

Baroness Rock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposals from theTenant Farmers Association to amend the taxation framework within which landlords of farmland make decisions about letting land to encourage longer term farm business tenancies; and what plans they have, if any, to implement these changes.

Baroness Rock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to schedule a meeting between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and representatives of theTenant Farmers Association to discuss the proposals for amendments to the taxation framework.

Lord Benyon: The Tenant Farmers Association provides a constructive contribution to considerations on the letting of agricultural land. The Government recognises that the fiscal framework plays a role in landowners' decisions on whether to let land and on the length of tenancy terms offered. Other factors are important too such as the size, quality and location of the land, and personal motivations for owning land. The Government is committed to a fair and sustainable tax system and keeps all taxes under review as a matter of course. The impacts and potential unintended consequences of tax reform need careful analysis to ensure confidence in the let sector is maintained. Officials from Defra and HM Treasury have regular discussions to share information and feedback views from farming stakeholders. A third of all farmland in England is tenanted and a vibrant tenanted sector is vital to the future of agriculture. The Government is working with the Tenants Farmers Association and others to ensure our future farming policy provides an enabling environment for tenant farmers, including ready access to the Sustainable Farming Incentive and other future schemes. Minister Prentis recently met with George Dunn of the Tenant Farmers Association where a wide range of issues relating to tenant farmers were discussed, including the importance that tenant farmers can join environmental schemes without consequences on their tenancy agreements.

Waste Disposal: Licensing

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps the Environment Agency is taking to ensure that allwaste carriers are recorded accurately on their official register.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: We are working to replace paper waste tracking forms with electronic waste tracking, and also on reform of the Carriers, Brokers and Dealers licensing regime. Taken together, these reforms will significantly reduce the opportunity for abuse of the waste system, whilst making it easier to prosecute waste criminals successfully. Consultations on the detail of these reforms are due to be published shortly.

Fly-tipping

Baroness Jones of Whitchurch: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many incidents of fly tipping were reported to the Environment Agency in each of the last five years; and how many of these cases resulted in a successful prosecution.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The Environment Agency tackles a wide range of waste crime including illegal dumping, responding to those incidents which pose the most significant threat to the environment due to their scale, impact or the involvement of organised crime groups. It is the role and responsibility of local authorities to handle smaller scale fly-tipping incidents. Any caller to the Environment Agency who identifies fly-tipping at the scale or nature that we do not handle is directed to the appropriate local authority. In terms of illegal dumping and other waste crime, in 2020/21 the Environment Agency secured 25 successful prosecutions which resulted in total fines of £475,796 and seven custodial sentences. It is everyone’s responsibility to check they only use properly licensed waste carriers – if they do not, they risk a fine if that rubbish ends up being fly-tipped.